The local English-language press (Jakarta Post, Jakarta Globe) have been covering this. Sadly, on the basis of what I read in Saturday's paper, the authorities in Medan seem more concerned about the impact this will have on the region's tourist industry than the fact that someone has lost their life, and that there are murderers on the loose.

The really sad thing is that he was only stabbed in the leg, but still died. Perhaps the hospital would have tried harder had he been of a different ethnic group...

My friend's wife works at Santa Elisabeth Hospital and was there when he was admitted. She said he was cut up pretty bad and had lost a lot of blood before he got to the hospital. They did all they could to try and save him. I'm presuming the main artery had been cut hence the severe blood loss. It wasn't a case of him being the wrong ethic group at all.

It appears it was a botched robbery. He was in a becak when the attempted robbery happened after having just left the airport. He was held up by 2 men with machetes on a motorbike. It was during the struggle to stop it happening that he was critically injured.

According to an Indonesian report (portalkriminal.com) 4 special investigation units (Polsekta New Medan teams and North Sumatra Police teams) are investigating the case and have already questioned a number of witnesses. It also said they are working closely with the American Consulate in Medan.

Sad thing to happen. My condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

My friend's wife works at Santa Elisabeth Hospital and was there when he was admitted. She said he was cut up pretty bad and had lost a lot of blood before he got to the hospital. They did all they could to try and save him. I'm presuming the main artery had been cut hence the severe blood loss. It wasn't a case of him being the wrong ethic group at all.

I suppose if his femoral artery had been sliced open and everybody just stood around before taking him to hospital, it might have been beyond the skills of Indonesian medical staff to save him. Lucky he wasn't black - they would have let him bleed to death on the street.

The tragedy of his death shouldn't be taken as a reflection on visiting or living in Indonesia generally. I've lived in and traveled throughout Indonesia for several years without ever feeling in any particular danger ( public transport drivers and fellow motorcyclists aside . . .). i've ridden my motorcycle from Padang to Timor (albeit in stages and with some help from the occasional ferry) and have mostly encountered only friendliness and incredulity from locals.

The tragedy of his death shouldn't be taken as a reflection on visiting or living in Indonesia generally. I've lived in and traveled throughout Indonesia for several years without ever feeling in any particular danger ( public transport drivers and fellow motorcyclists aside . . .). i've ridden my motorcycle from Padang to Timor (albeit in stages and with some help from the occasional ferry) and have mostly encountered only friendliness and incredulity from locals.

A agree. I've been here a couple of years and have always felt very safe oin a personal level

dxn283, padang to timor, congrats. thinking of doing something similar myself. from padang did you go through jambi-palembang etc. or is there another way. either way, how was the road? anything to watch out for / places to avoid or look for?

I wonder how many people have been attacked on becaks in Medan. I too was robbed on a becak leaving a shopping mall in 2006. I didn't resist and just gave up my bag. But I'm beginning to think this is a larger problem than the authorities of Medan would like to admit.

My ex-housemate was always murdered in Indonesia. The police did not really investigate at all. But Indonesia is a dangerous place to live -- not that I would suggest that anyone avoid working there, but be careful. NYC is a dangerous place to live, too. Just be smart.

My ex-housemate was always murdered in Indonesia. The police did not really investigate at all. But Indonesia is a dangerous place to live -- not that I would suggest that anyone avoid working there, but be careful. NYC is a dangerous place to live, too. Just be smart.

My ex-housemate was always murdered in Indonesia. The police did not really investigate at all. But Indonesia is a dangerous place to live -- not that I would suggest that anyone avoid working there, but be careful. NYC is a dangerous place to live, too. Just be smart.

Really? That's terrible - how many times was he murdered in total?

I am guessing KopiKopi is Indonesian. In Indonesian language the word, pernah, doesn't doesn't translate very well into English, it's a common error.

My ex-housemate was always murdered in Indonesia. The police did not really investigate at all. But Indonesia is a dangerous place to live -- not that I would suggest that anyone avoid working there, but be careful. NYC is a dangerous place to live, too. Just be smart.

Really? That's terrible - how many times was he murdered in total?

I am guessing KopiKopi is Indonesian. In Indonesian language the word, pernah, doesn't doesn't translate very well into English, it's a common error.

Well, judging by this thread (as well as a couple of others which say 'back to the US'), I'd guess that he's American.